In Nielsen’s 56 overnight metered markets, “SNL” delivered a 6.3 household rating/16 share, its highest mark since the Jan. 7, 2012 edition hosted by Charles Barkley with music guest Kelly Clarkson. In the 25 metered markets that deliver overnight latenight demo ratings, this week’s seg delivered a 3.9/18, also the best since the Barkley/Clarkson combo.

The Dec. 21 seg also marks “SNL’s” highest pre-Christmas edition since Dec. 18, 2004, when Robert De Niro hosted and Destiny’s Child performed.